Tynia Brown
Journal Staff Writer

Senator Randy Rolle, Chairman and Managing Director of the Consumer Protection Commission
(CPC), has reaffirmed the government’s sharpened focus on consumer justice, especially for
Family Island residents who continue to face limited access to reliable services, affordable
goods, and financial protections.
Speaking at Andros Business Outlook last week, Rolle acknowledged deeply rooted challenges:
exorbitant shipping costs, spotty electricity and internet, a shortage of banking infrastructure, and
reports of expired or substandard goods on store shelves.
“This is not just an Andros issue, it’s a national opportunity,” Rolle said. “We want to make sure
every Bahamian, regardless of where they live, receives fairness.”
The CPC has taken a hands-on approach. Earlier this month, its team conducted inspections of
multiple wholesalers in Nassau after mounting complaints that expired products were reaching
Family Island retailers.
“We just wanted to make sure that when things go to the Family Islands, we understand
whether they’re expired before they leave or after they arrive,” Rolle explained.
“Understanding the process allows us to better assist consumers.”
The initiative is part of a wider push for accountability in the supply chain. Rolle emphasized
that the aim is not to assign blame, but to find lasting, system-wide solutions. Building
transparent relationships with wholesalers, he says, is a critical step.
Recent data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs shows the CPC processed nearly $875,000 in
claims last fiscal year, successfully recovering over $240,000 for Bahamian consumers,
including $7,000 in Andros. These numbers are expected to rise as more residents become aware
of their rights and the Commission’s support services.
The CPC’s renewed visibility aligns with the government’s Business Development Initiative
Program, which provides funding and technical support to local entrepreneurs across the country.
Rolle noted that consumer protection complements economic growth, ensuring it is equitable,
especially in historically overlooked regions.
Meanwhile, as services become increasingly digital, Family Island residents face a new kind of
exclusion. With unstable internet and frequent power outages, mobile banking and online
transactions can be unreliable at best, inaccessible at worst. Rolle said the CPC is lobbying for
mobile ATMs, improved digital infrastructure, and real-time customer service options as
essential to modern fairness.

The CPC has also prioritized complaints around delayed deliveries, lost shipments, and
inadequate refund policies, particularly with e-commerce and third-party shipping. These cases
are now under active investigation.
“The CPC is not just about enforcement, it’s about empowerment,” Rolle stressed. “We
want to help Bahamians become informed consumers, wherever they live.”
Upcoming initiatives include consumer education campaigns in Andros, Exuma, Eleuthera, and
Abaco, targeting issues like scams, predatory pricing, and warranty rights. The Commission will
also expand its presence with quarterly forums and unannounced inspections, aiming to increase
trust and promote compliance among vendors.
Rolle concluded by reminding residents that consumer rights are not a privilege of Nassau but a
national standard.
“We are boots on the ground—ears open, sleeves rolled up, and ready to work with you
and for you.”
As The Bahamas continues decentralizing its national development strategy, the CPC’s role is
becoming ever more vital in ensuring that fairness, accountability, and economic opportunity
reach every corner of the archipelago.